FAQs

Never attended one of our events before? Read the first eight questions for the basic need-to-knows.

Q: How do I become a member of the BDC?A: You only need to sign an OSU liability waiver for the BDC when you come to dance. There are no club fees or special requirements for members.

Q: I’m not a student, can I still be a member?A: Absolutely. You’ll still have to fill out a waiver, but community members are always welcome at BDC events.

Q: Do I need prior dance experience?A: No, we cater to all experience levels. We generally have lessons at the start of our dances and most of them accommodate zero prior experience. The schedule of lessons can be found on our schedule of dances page or Facebook page.

Q: When/where are dances?A: See our schedule of dances page.

Q: How much do dances cost?A: Our weekly Wednesday dances are free. We also have three weekend/Friday dances per term in the MU ballroom excluding unusual circumstances. One of the weekend dances is free and the other two cost $5 for students and faculty, and $7 for Corvallis community members. The price difference is because the club indirectly benefits from student tuition.

Q: What should I wear and bring?A: Wear comfortable shoes that will stay on your feet because shoes are required. Your clothing should allow movement and not have too many places where there can get snagged on objects or people. It’s fine to come on your own or as a group; you don’t need to have a specific partner.

Q: What should I do at a dance? What rules should I follow?A: We have a very basic floorcraft and etiquette diagram here. In general, it is most important to respect other dancers' comfort and to practice good floorcraft to the best of your ability.

Q: What styles of dances do you do? How do you know when to dance what styles?A: See our dance styles page.

Situational FAQs:

Q: Can I take photos at dances?A: As long as you are respectful of dancers, yes. We are an OSU club, so OSU’s policies apply. It would also be appreciated if you mentioned who you are while checking in so that the club officers are aware. If you want to film at a club event, please contact us beforehand at ballroom@oregonstate.edu.

Q: I have an event where we want a dance lesson. Who should I talk to?A: Our club officers occasionally will teach lessons at other events. Depending on specific circumstances we also can rent our sound equipment. Email us at ballroom@oregonstate.edu about your event and we can sort out what would work best. Generally it would be expected to compensate the instructor for their time and the club for equipment use.

Q: I have an event where we want a dance performance. Who should I talk to?A: We focus on social dancing and don’t have a performance team. However, OSU does have two different ballroom dance performance teams run by Cathy Dark and they may be able to

Q: How can I be more involved with the club?A: Officer elections are held every winter. If you cannot be an officer but would still like to help out, club meetings are held regularly and are open to the public unless stated otherwise. Anyone is welcome to sit in and give their opinion. We also regularly have guest DJs who build playlists for us.

Q: Where can I learn that move?A: The best place to learn new patterns is in the PAC classes, but often dancers will learn a move elsewhere or just make one up. Or, you can always try asking the person you saw do it. Many people are more than willing to share what they know, but always try to be respectful of your fellow dancer’s time. They’re here to dance, just like you!

Dance Etiquette:

Q: What is not allowed?A: The BDC does not allow lifts or floor tricks which may endanger other dancers. Even if you are extremely proficient at a lift or trick, those around you may not know what you intend to do and may accidently run into you or your partner. If you are unsure about a move or pattern, feel free to ask one of the officers if it is allowed.

Q: What are the rules of “floorcraft”?A: This essentially means “not running into people,” and not endangering yourself or others through your dancing. The dance floor is also like a racetrack: if you are moving quickly, take the outer “lane” of the floor. If you are doing a stationary pattern or moving slowly, dance in the center of the floor. This is especially important for dances like Foxtrot, where Lindy Hop dancers will be in the center of the floor while Foxtrot dancers travel around them. (This also applies to Quickstep/Single Time.)

Q: Can I dance West Coast to a Night Club Two Step (etc)?A: Sure. However, if the song is designated as a NC2S, be aware of this. The Night Club dancers will have the right of way, and it would be the job of the West Coast dancer to keep clear of them.

Q: Who can I ask to dance?A: Anyone!

Dance Styles:

Q: What style of dance does the BDC do?A: We are primarily ballroom-focused, but we also play other styles. On any given night, we will play songs for: Waltz, Foxtrot, Tango, Single Time Swing, Viennese Waltz, Lindy Hop, Samba, Salsa, Night Club Two Step, West Coast Swing, and Hustle. We will also usually, but not always, play: Rumba, Quickstep, Blues, and Polka. We do not usually play any Country Styles.

Q: How do I know which dance to do?A: We have a small white board by the DJ table, which lists the current recommended dance and the next dance. If you are lost, you can always check this board for guidance. However, it is often possible to dance more than one style to any given song. If this is the case, use your best judgement to determine what dance goes with the song. You can also try one or two different styles on the floor and see which feels right. (Following rules of floorcraft, of course.)